Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, head injury (traumatic brain injury), and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons provided include lack of evidence showing a current disability related to an in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found no legal basis to grant a higher schedular rating for tinnitus or separate ratings for each ear, and there is no evidence of chronic hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been granted increased ratings, with the hearing loss receiving a 40% rating effective February 6, 2019. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which includes the issues of bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied as his audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and insufficient rationale in the January 2021 VA opinion. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, but the examiner found it less likely than not caused by or a result of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current disability of hearing loss, and the persuasive evidence does not show a diagnosis prior to the filing of her claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with a Maryland CNC speech recognition score of 90% in the right ear and 78% in the left ear. The Board found that this level of hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in May 2021 was inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating for Level III and VI hearing impairment in both ears. The Board found no evidence of exceptional pattern of hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the AOJ not having all relevant VA treatment records and a private audiology examination report from 2016. The AOJ must seek these records and complete the review.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by his military service. The Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears since service, which is considered a known result of noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is based on the evidence not being in balance regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, while finding no link between his current hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it was incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance due to lack of permanent impairment in use of hands or feet, blindness, or severe burn injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hernia, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).